Application Tips for NRI Paperwork

Application Form Tips:

• Application forms should be filled in fully, legibly (in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS), and accurately. It is an offense to give false information in the Application. OCI card can be denied/withdrawn on grounds of misuse, suppression of factual information, misrepresentation of the facts, submission of false particulars, and for making unauthorized changes in the OCI cards.
  
  
• Handwritten forms are not accepted. All the forms must be filled online. The forms and required letters get auto-populated, which saves the applicant’s time in refilling fields.
  

Application Process:

• If you are applying for the OCI card and Renunciation certificate together, make sure all the supporting documents are attached separately for both the applications. In other words, if the same document is required in both the process, you must enclose it twice, one in OCI card application and also in the Renunciation application.
  
  
• Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.
  
  
• Do not email or call regarding receipt of application at the consulate or at Cox & Kings Global Services. Make sure to send it by the means you can track such as certified mail with return receipt, express mail, or private courier such as FedEx, UPS, etc.
  
  
• Even though not required, color photocopies of all the relevant documents are preferred.
  
  
• If the application is not complete in all aspects, it will be returned. When you resubmit it with corrections, it will again go back to the end of the queue and will not get any preferential treatment.
  
  
• If the application is returned for being incomplete, when you send it corrected, it will again go in the line and you will not get any priority in processing.
  
  
• Except for India visa, please note that the applications submitted through travel agencies, visa services, or any other agents are not accepted for OCI Card or Renunciation Certificates. Such applications will be denied and all fees will be forfeited.
  
  
• Application in Person:
  
  • Before you can visit the application center in person, you must book an appointment.
    
    
  • In-person application is mandatory for emergency visas.
    
    
  • Please arrive at the center just before the appointment time. There may be long lines and it may take a long time before you are seen. Therefore, be ready to be there for a few hours.
    
    
• Application by Mail:
  
  • Only visa applications are accepted by third party agents. Applicants are required to submit their application themselves in case of OCI Card or Renunciation.
    
    
  • Make sure to send the application by means that you can trace such as FedEx/UPS or USPS Express Mail or USPS regular mail with tracking.
    
    
  • While mailing the package
    • Make sure to write appropriate departments such as the “OCI Card Department” outside of the envelope.
      
      If you are sending additional documents for the application pending due to a lack of documents, you must specify “Additional Documents (OCI Department)” outside the envelope.
      
      
  • If you are a member of the US Military and you are applying from Iraq, please enclose your prepaid airbill.
    
    
  • Once the application has been received at the Cox & King Global Services office, please allow 7-10 days for processing of your application and the status to be visible on the web site.
    
    
  • If your application is not complete in all aspects, it will be kept on hold while all possible attempts are made to contact the applicant for a period of up to 2 weeks. After that, the applications which are still missing any required documents will be sent back to the applicant using the shipping label provided. You will get the application fee back minus the service charge. If there was no return shipping label sent, the additional cost of a shipping label will be deducted. If your application is to be returned, it will be returned in around 10 business days.
    

Security Alert

Only the persons applying for a visa will be allowed on Cox & Kings Global Services premises.

Cox & Kings Global Services office regulations do not permit you to carry the following:

1. You must power off your cell phone and put it away.
2. Battery operated or electronic gadgets such as digital diaries, pagers, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, palmtops or portable music players.
3. All bags such as travel bags, back packs, briefcases, suitcases, leather, jute or cloth bags and zip folders.
4. Strollers.
5. Any food item.
6. Sealed envelopes or packages.
7. Any sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail cutters.
8. Weapons or explosive material of any kind.

The above list is not complete. Other items may be prohibited based on the discretion of the security staff. Only the following items are permitted:

1. A small ladies pouch in hand.
2. A plastic bag containing your application related papers.

For security reasons, there is no facility at Cox & Kings Global Services to store prohibited items. You will have to make alternate arrangements to keep the same before entry into Cox & Kings Global Services.